Clock



Aug. '14, 1934. A. w. FOWLER 1,969,975

CLOCK Filed March 15,1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 14, 1934. w FOWLER cpocx 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1930 Patented Aug. 14, 1934 1,969,975

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOCK Arno W. Fowler, Highland, 111.

Application March 13, 1930, Serial No. 435,615

'1 Claims. (01. 200-436) This invention relates to clocks and more parthis invention, but. for convenience I have setlcularly to timing mechanism for operating an lected a clock mechanism operated by an alterelectric switch to close a power circuit operatnating current motor of a suitable type. ing a radio receiving set. In accordance with this invention an hour In its broader aspect the object of the invenhand shaft 18 is driven by a gear 19 of novel tion is to provide timing mechanism for operatconstruction. It is constructed of electrically ing an electric switch which will be simple of non-conductive material throughout, including construction, economical to manufacture and the hub, web and gear rack. The hub includes simple in control. a cylindrical forwardly extending flange 20.

10 In its narrower aspect the object of the in- A disc conductor 21 is secured to the gear 19 vention is to provide a clock which may be about thefiange 20. Thus the disc 21 is insumounted in connection with a radio receiving lated from the rest of the mechanism but rigid set and which will operate suitable mechanism with the gear wheel19 and the hour shaft 18. for closing the power supply circuit for the set The gear wheel 19 is, as previously explained,

15 at a predetermined time. driven through a train of gearing by the spring Other objects will iappear from the following drum 15 and regulated through a train of geardetail description taken in connection with the ing by the escapement mechanism 16. accompanying drawings, in which:- A disc or ring 22 is composed of fiber or other Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a radio cabinet insulating substance and is mounted in rigid 20 showing the control panel with the device mountconnection with the metallic disc 21 and the ined thereon. sulated gear wheel 19 so that the parts 22, 21, 19

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the clock mechaand 18 rotate together. nism' with the dial, stationary contact member The ring 22 is split, having one end 23 twisted and setting mechanism removed, and showing or bent laterally away from and out of alinement 25 diagrammatically the electrical circuits inwith the opposite end 24 which is flat against the volved. metallic disc 21. A metallic piece 25 extends Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the clock mechabetween the ends 23 and 24 of the fiber ring 22 nism shown in Fig. 2. and is in permanent contact with the metallic Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section of disc 21.' This metallic piece 25 projects beyond 30 the dial, stationary contact member, setting the end 23 of the ring 22 and overlaps but is mechanism and a rotating contact member. spaced from the end 24 of the fiber ring, as is Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the stationary clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The contact member. metallic piece 25 constitutes part of the mecha- A radio cabinet 1 of conventional construcnism controlled by the clock mechanism for clos- 35 tion has a control panel 2 which supports the ing an electric circuit. It is now apparent that usual tuning and volume controls 3, a window the metallic piece 25 is rotated with the metallic frame 4 through which may be observed a tundisc 21 and with the hour shaft 18 and is insuing drum indicator 5, and a switch 6 for the lated from the remaining mechanism of the power circuit; and by means of which the set clock.

40 may be put into operation. An electric circuit wire 26 is connected at one 'In accordance with this invention the panel 2 end to a power supply wire 27 and at its other also supports a visible clock dial 7 in cooperaend to a brush 28 arranged for continuous contion with which are a minute hand 8, an hour tact with the metallic disc 21. The brush 28 is hand 9 and a setting pointer 10. The panel also mounted on an insulating support 29 secured to 45 supports a switch 11 which renders operative 01 t frame 1 inoperative the time switch controlled by the It will thus be pp that the metallic Piece clock a a 25 is in continuous electrical contact with one side The clock mechanism includes a frame 12, an of an electric Supply circuitelectric motor having a field 13, an armature The radio receiving Set c udes the chassis 30 50 14, which winds a m spring in a drum 15 an having binding posts 31 and 32 adapted to secure escapement mechanism 16, suitable trains of D pp y Wires e conduction of current gearing for driving and regulating a shaft 17 to operate the set. A wire 33 is connected to the carrying the minute hand 8 and a cylindrical post 31 and the main line wire 34 opposite the shaft 18 carrying the hour hand 9. Any suitable other main line wire 27. A wire 35 is secured to 55 clock mechanism may be used in connection with the binding post 32 and to the switches 6 and 11.

The other side of the switch 6 is secured to a wire 36 in permanent connection with the main line wire 27. The side of the switch 11 opposite the connection with the wire 35 is connected to a wire 37 permanently secured to the frame 12.

It will thus be seen that if the switch 6 is closed the set will receive a power current through the wire 33 connected to the main line wire 34, the wire 35 connected to the switch 6, and the wire 36 connected to the other main line wire 2'7. It will also be apparent that if the switch 6 is open but the switch 11 is closed, the set will receive a power current and will be put into operation if contact is made between the frame 12 and the metallic contact piece 25.

The metallic dial '7 is secured to and in electrical communication with the frame 12. A cylindrical metallic sleeve 38 passes through the center opening in the dial and about the shaft 18. The pointer 10 is secured to one end of the sleeve 38 external of the dial. The sleeve 38 has an annular flange 39 to which is secured a laterally extending contact piece 40 in such position that when held stationary it will come into contact with the contact piece 25 once during each revolution of the shaft 18 by which the piece 25 is-carried.

In order to secure a good electrical contact between the sleeve 38, to which is attached the piece 40, and the dial '7 an annular shoulder 41 is provided on the sleeve 38 and an annular spring member 42 having legs 43 is interposed between the shoulder 41 and the dial 7. This spring mem her in addition to making electrical contact between the sleeve 38 and the dial 7 also acts as a detent member to secure the sleeve 38 and therefore the contact piece 40 in stationary position against the rotation with the shaft 18 which passes through the sleeve 38.

By moving the pointer 10 the contact piece 40 may be placed in any selected positionand that position is indicated by the pointer on the dial.

It is now apparent that the contact member 40 may be moved to any desired position and that position indicated by the pointer on the dial. It is also apparent that once in every revolution of the hour hand electrical contact will be made between the contact piece 25 rotated by the hour shaft and the stationary contact piece 40 which may be set as desired. Thus when the switch 11 is closed current will'be introduced through the wire 35 into the receiving set from the main line wire 27, the current flowing from the wire 2''! through the wire 26, the brush 28, the metal- 110 disc 21, contact piece 25, contact piece 40, collar 38, dial 7, frame 12 and the wire 3'1.

It is also apparent that by closing the switch 6 the receiving set may be operated independent- 1y of the timing mechanism, and by opening the switch 11, the timing contacts rendered inoperative to affect the set. The switch 6 has direct cooperative relation with the timing mechanism and the circuit closer and opener operated thereby. The switch 6 constitutes a device mounted in connection with the circuit ofthe timing mechanism whereby the operativeness of the device to be operated, which is the radio receiving set, may be quickly determined without unnecessary operation of the pointer 10 and the switch mechanism controlled thereby. When it is desired to condition the mechanism for operation at a predetermined time by the timing mechanism, it is, of course, desirable to know that the mechanism will operate. This may be determined quickly by closing the switch 6 for a sufficient time to energize the receiving set and thus afford indication of the fact that said receiving set is operative. Of course, if the receiving set is not operative, such condition will be indicated by the fact that it does not operate.

The time during which the receiving set will continuously operate due to the timing mechanism, is determined by the length of that part of the contact piece 25 extending beyond the end 23 of the insulating ring 22. It has been found convenient to extend the part 25 about 30 and thus the mechanism will cause continuous contact for a period of one hour. This period may be of course adjusted as desired by using a contact piece 25 of the required length.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its purpose. Mechanism has been provided to operate the time switches which is simple in construction and easy to operate.

A radio receiving set has been provided with a clock having its dial conveniently displayed with the clock mechanism arranged to operate the time switch so as to turn on the radio at any predetermined time.

The setting of the timing mechanism can conveniently be accomplished. The arrangement of the time switch is such as not to interfere with the operation of the radio in the usual manner, its controls being separate from the conventional radio controls and switches.

It is obvious that the invention may be applied for the purpose of closing electrical circuits in other than radio receiving sets and its purpose is not, therefore, limited to such use.

It is also obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A time switch mechanism comprising, a clock having a shaft passing through a dial and carrying an hour hand, a contact member mounted for rotation with said shaft, an electric cir cuit wire in electrical communication with said contact member, a collar mounted upon said shaft and passing through said dial, a pointer fixed to said collar in front of said dial, a contact member mounted on the collar back of the dial, a spring detent member adapted to hold said collar in engagement with said dial, and an electric circuit wire in electrical communication with said dial. 1

2. A time switch mechanism comprising a clock having a shaft passing through a metallic dial and carrying an hour hand, a contact member insulated from and rotated by said shaft, an electric circuit wire in electrical communication with said contact member, a collar mounted on said shaft, a device at the outer side of the dial and connected with said collar for rotating said collar about said shaft, a contact member mounted on said collar at the inner side of the dial, and an electric circuit wire in electrical com- Lnunication with said last named contact mem- 3. A time switch mechanism comprising a clock having a shaft extending through a metallic dial and carrying an hour hand, a contact member mounted for rotation by said shaft and insulated therefrom, an electric circuit wire insulated from said shaft and in electrical communication with said contact member, a collar mounted on said shaft and rotative independently thereof, a contact member on said collar in position to be engaged and disengaged by said first Ill Ill)

r contact member, an electric circuit wire in elechaving a shaft extending through-"a metallic dial and carrying an hour hand, a contact member mounted for rotation by said shaft and in-, sulated therefrom, an electric circuit wire insulated from said shaft and in electrical communication with said contact member, a collar mounted on said shaft and rotative independently thereof, a contact member on said collar in position to be engaged and disengaged by said first contact member, an electric circuit wire in electrical communication with said second contact member, means at the outer side of said dial for operating and adjusting said second contact member with respect to said first contact member, and means in connection with and holding said second contact member from accidental displacement.

5. A time switch comprising a shaft carrying a time indicating hand, an electrically non-conductive gear fixed to said shaft, means for driving said gear, a brush mounted on said gear, a continuous electrical connection with said brush, a sleeve mounted on and adjustable about said shaft, a contact member mounted on said sleeve and adapted to contact with said brush, and an electrical connection in communication with said contact member.

6. A time switch comprising a rotary shaft, an electrically non-conductive gear attached to 4. A time switch mechanism comprising a clock said shaft, means for rotating said gear and thereby said shaft, an electrically conductive brush attached to said gear, a continuous electrical connection with said brush, a sleeve supported by and rotative relative to and about said shaft as an axis, means for holding said sleeve from rotation with said shaft, means for rotating said sleeve relative to and about said shaft as an axis, a contact member mounted on said sleeve and adapted to be engaged by said brush once during each revolution of said gear, and an electrical connection in communication with said contact member.

7. A time switch comprising a dial member having an opening, a rotary shaft extending through said opening, a time indicating hand attached to and rotated by said shaft, an electrically non-conductive gear attached to said shaft beyond said dial member from said hand,

means for rotating said gear and thereby said shaft and said hand, an electrically conductive brush mounted on said gear, a continuous electrical connection with said brush, a sleeve mounted on and rotativerelative to and about said shaft as an axis and extending through said opening in said dial member, a contact member mounted on said sleeve and adapted to be engaged by said'brush once during each revolution of said gear, means engaging said sleeve and said dial member holding said sleeve against rotation by said shaftand forming an electrical connec tion between said sleeve and said dial member, and means attached to said sleeve between said hand and said dial member for rotating said sleeve relative to and about said shaft as an axis.

ARNO W. FOWLER. 

